Why Northern Ireland? Bob Ladner Reflects on Building CV6 Therapeutics in Belfast
What does it really take to turn promising science into a medicine?
For Dr Robert “Bob” Ladner, Founder and CEO of QUBIS portfolio company CV6 Therapeutics, the answer goes far beyond the science itself.
In his recent thought leadership piece, Science Is Not a Medicine, Bob shares the story behind CV6 - from choosing Northern Ireland as the place to build the company to taking its science towards the clinic.
It’s a journey more than a decade in the making, shaped by ambitious science, talented people and a belief in what could be built in Belfast.
Bob reflects on the people who have been part of that journey, from his early conversations with the late Professor Patrick G. Johnston to the scientists who moved with their families from Southern California and the talent CV6 has recruited locally.
Together, they have built CV6 from an ambitious idea into a Belfast-headquartered biotech company, with its lead programme now progressing through clinical development.
Bob’s story is also a reminder that great science is only the starting point.
Building a company around it takes resilience. It means finding the right people, securing investment, protecting intellectual property and navigating the many scientific, regulatory and commercial challenges that come with turning research into something that could ultimately make a difference for patients.
At QUBIS, we’re proud to have been part of CV6’s journey. But the story belongs to Bob and the team who have built the company - and who continue to demonstrate what can happen when ambitious founders choose Northern Ireland as the place to turn ideas into impact.